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The Employment Pass (EP) is issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to foreign professionals, managers and executives with a job offer in Singapore. New applications need a fixed monthly salary of at least S$5,600 and 40 points under COMPASS. MOM charges S$105 to apply and S$225 to issue each pass.
Checked on MOM pages, last updated by MOM .
Who can get an Employment Pass?
The EP is for foreign professionals, managers, executives and technicians who have a job offer from a Singapore employer. MOM assesses candidates in two stages, and you need to pass both:
- Qualifying salary. Your fixed monthly salary must meet the minimum for your age. MOM benchmarks it to the top third of local professional, manager, executive and technician salaries by age.
- COMPASS. You must score at least 40 points, unless you are exempt.
The employer must also advertise the role on MyCareersFuture and consider all applicants fairly before applying, under the Fair Consideration Framework. There is no foreign worker levy and no quota for the EP, according to MOM.
This site is an independent guide. It is not MOM. Founders who plan to run their own company should read EP for a company director and the EntrePass guide, as the rules differ.
What salary do you need?
The floor depends on age and sector. These are the end points MOM publishes.
| Sector | Now, age 23 or below | Now, age 45 and above | From 1 January, age 23 or below | From 1 January, age 45 and above |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All except financial services | S$5,600 | S$10,700 | S$6,000 | S$11,500 |
| Financial services | S$6,200 | S$11,800 | S$6,600 | S$12,700 |
The new figures apply to new applications and to renewals of passes expiring from . Salary grows with age between the end points. The full age-by-age list is on our Employment Pass salary page.
What is COMPASS?
COMPASS is the points test. A candidate needs 40 points. Four core criteria score 0, 10 or 20 each, and there are bonus points:
| Criterion | What it checks | Points |
|---|---|---|
| C1 Salary | Pay against local salaries for the age | 0, 10 or 20 |
| C2 Qualifications | Top-tier degree scores highest | 0, 10 or 20 |
| C3 Diversity | Share of the employer's professionals with your nationality | 0, 10 or 20 |
| C4 Local employment | Employer's share of local professionals | 0, 10 or 20 |
| C5 Skills bonus | Shortage occupations | 10 to 20 |
| C6 Strategic economic priorities | Eligible programmes | 10 |
You skip COMPASS if your fixed monthly salary is S$22,500 or more, if you are an intra-corporate transferee, or if the role lasts one month or less. The COMPASS guide goes through each criterion.
How much does it cost?
| Item | MOM fee |
|---|---|
| Application | S$105 |
| Pass issuance, per pass | S$225 |
| Multiple-entry visa, if applicable | S$30 |
The application fee is paid by GIRO, Visa, Mastercard or Amex when the employer or agent submits. The issuance fee is paid when the pass is issued. Fees an employment agent charges are separate and not listed by MOM on that page.
How long does it take?
MOM says a standard application is processed or given an update within 10 business days. Overseas companies without Singapore registration are handled within 6 weeks for most cases. The steps run in this order:
- The employer or agent gets the candidate's written consent and submits through the EP eService with the required documents.
- MOM issues an in-principle approval letter.
- The candidate prepares travel and any medical exam.
- The employer submits candidate details and pays the issuance fee, with the pass issued once the candidate is in Singapore.
- If asked, the candidate registers fingerprints and photo at the Employment Pass Services Centre.
- The card is delivered within 5 working days.
Employers need Corppass access to use MOM's eServices, covered in the Corppass guide.
How long does an Employment Pass last?
A first pass is valid for up to 2 years. A renewal can be up to 3 years. Experienced tech professionals with skills in shortage may be eligible for 5 years. Family members may be eligible for dependant passes, as explained in the Dependant Pass guide. Medical insurance is optional and left to the employer, and income tax may apply to your earnings.
Employers must tell MOM when circumstances change, renew before expiry, replace damaged cards and cancel the pass when employment ends.
Can an EP holder start a company?
The EP is built around a job offer from a Singapore employer, and MOM says the employer or its agent applies. MOM's pages we read do not cover running your own company on an EP. People who want to start a company usually compare it with the EntrePass. Read the EntrePass guide and ask MOM before you act, because the answer depends on your situation.
Do you need an agent or provider?
You do not need one, but the employer must apply, and many firms use an employment agent for the portal work, the documents and the COMPASS check. If you are an employer or founder who wants help, use the quote form on this page. We pass your request to suitable providers and may earn a referral fee if one becomes your service provider. The facts above come from MOM, not from any provider.
Sources
- MOM, Employment Pass eligibility: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/eligibility (two-stage test, salary tables now and from the January change, COMPASS exemptions).
- MOM, Employment Pass key facts: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/key-facts (who applies, validity, no levy or quota, MOM's last update in May).
- MOM, apply for an Employment Pass: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/apply-for-a-pass (S$105, S$225, S$30, processing times, steps).
- MOM, COMPASS: https://www.mom.gov.sg/passes-and-permits/employment-pass/upcoming-changes-to-employment-pass-eligibility/complementarity-assessment-framework-compass (40 points, criteria and bonuses).
